Bottle wiper



April 30, 1940- w. M. FITZMEYER 2,198,698

BOTTLE WIPER Filed Oct. 31, 1958 Zmventor 9 W.M.Fitzmayer Patented Apr. 30, 1940 BOTTLE WIPER William M. Fitzmeyer, Omaha, Nebr.

Application October 31, 1938, Serial No. 237,935

3 Claims;

This invention relates to the cleaning art and more particularly to bottle wipers.

It is an object of the invention to provide a resilient wiper adapted to contract against the outer surfaces of bottles in a manner to compact wiper surfaces against and within depressions formed on the outer surfaces of bottles including those of imperfect circular contour provided during the manufacture or blowing of the bottles.

0 whereby the bottle surfaces become wiped thoroughly and expeditiously and moisture removed therefrom.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device for the purpose stated which may be manufactured economically and which is durable and eflicient in operation.

Other and further objects and advantages of the invention will be understood from the following detailed description thereof, reference 50 being had to the accompanying drawing in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a bottle and showing the new device applied thereto in a position of operation.

Figure 2 is a plan view of the new device, certain portions thereof showing in section.

Figure 3 is a sectional view of a portion thereof, the view being taken substantially between the line 3-3 of Figure 2.

As heretofore practiced in the art bottles have been immersed in ice water or the like for chilling the liquid contents thereof and upon serving a bottle to a customer for drinking directly from the bottle the moisture is first removed from the a side walls of the bottle in order that said moisture does not impinge upon the clothing of the customer and for this purpose towels have been primarily used which are slow in operation. Also numerous expedients have been employed in lieu a of towels which includes elongated devices of expensive construction and devices which do not thoroughly wipe the side walls of the bottles and the present invention contemplates the provision of a device for obviating the undesirable prior practices.

Referring now to the drawing for a more particular description It) indicates a bottle, the side wall of which is substantially circular in cross section, said bottle being adapted to contain 50 pop, beer or similar liquids.

The new device includes a medially disposed annulus ll formed of rubber, the inner wall of which is provided with annularly disposed serrations I2 formed thereon for contact with the 3 side wall of the bottle It as later explained.

A plurality of rubber spoke-portions l3 extend radially from the annulus and are formed integral therewith, the outer ends of said spokes also being integral with an outwardly disposed ring l4. 5

The portions l l to it inclusive are formed of rubber or an equivalent resilient material. As best shown in Figure 3 the annulus Ii is provided with an annular spring l5 embedded in a medial portion thereof. The ring it is provided I. with a similar spring l6, as best shown in Figure 2. Between the annular springs l5 and iii a radial spring I! extends through each of the spokes l3, said radially disposed springs ll being secured at their opposite ends respectively I to the springs l5 and I6, as best shown in Figure 2, the said springs all being of the contracting type for reinforcing the rubber portions of the device. I It will be understood that the device is formed I of comparatively soft, pliable rubber and that the said spring l5 facilitates a contraction of the annulus ll about the wall of a bottle and par-. ticularly the annularly disposed serrations l2. The spring [6 is preferably formed of stiffer 2 wire than the spring l5, providing a greater degree of stiffness for the ring l4 whereby an operator may grasp the ring I4 between his fingers for passing the device over a'bottle as shown in Figure 1, during which time the spring l5 causes 80 the annular serrations I! to snugly compact against the wall of the bottle and including walls which are of irregular circular contour or slightly oval in plan, and it will be understood that during a longitudinal movement of the annulus ll with respect to the bottle that moisture collected on the side walls of bottles becomes scraped and freed therefrom as illustrated in Figure 1. Also the ring of the device may be rigidly clamped to a counter or the like and bottles passed 40 through the annulus H for said purpose.

It is well known that rubber deteriorates from exposure to light and with age and at the time the annulus ll becomes of less resiliency than initially that the said spring I! cooperates to compact a deteriorated annulus ll against bottle walls as above stated and provide a durable device for an extended period of usefulness.

From the foregoing description it is thought to be obvious that a bottle wiper constructed so in accordance with my invention is particularly well adapted for use by reason of the convenience and facility with which it may be assembled and operated, and it will also be obvious that my invention is susceptible of some change and u annulus and ring.

2 V modification without departing from the principles and spirit thereof and for, this reason I do not wish it to be understood as limiting nay-- self to the precise arrangement and formation of the several partsherein shown in carrying out my invention in practice except as claimed.

What is claimed is:

1. A bottle wiper comprising a rubber annulus, a rubber ring of greater diameter than said annulus and spaced apart rubber spokes-radially disposed with respect to said annulus between the latter and said ring and connecting the 2. A bottle wiper comprising a rubber annulus. a rubber ring of greater diameter than said annulus and spaced apart rubber spokes radially disposed with respect to saidannulus between the latter and said ring and connecting the annulus and ring, a normally contracted spring an embedded in said annulus, a normally contracted spring embedded in said ring, and a normally contracted spring embedded in each spoke and having their opposite ends connected to the springs in the annulus and the ring.-

3. A bottle wiper comprising a rubber annul having serrations on its inner face, a rubber ring l of greater diameter than said annulus and spaced outwardly therefrom, a plurality of spaced apart rubber spokes radially disposed with respect to said annulus between the latter and said ring and connecting the annulus and ring, a normally 1 contracted spring embedded in said annulus for normally urging the serrations of the annulus into contact with the outer surface of a bottle, a normally contracted spring embedded in said ring and being of greater strength than the spring 1 WIIIJAMM.FITZMEYER. 

